Greek Tortoise

About the species

To many people a Greek tortoise is simply "the tortoise from the pet shop," but it is in fact a specific species well worth telling apart from its relatives, above all from the Hermann's tortoise already established on our site. Testudo graeca comes from the dry, rocky terrain of North Africa and the Near East, and it is popular in captivity for its toughness, long lifespan and comparatively calm behaviour.

How to tell a Greek tortoise from a Hermann's tortoise

The most reliable sign is the spur on each thigh next to the tail - the Greek tortoise has it, the Hermann's tortoise does not. A second difference is the scute above the tail (the supracaudal scute): undivided in the Greek tortoise, split into two in the Hermann's tortoise. The Hermann's tortoise also carries a small horny tip at the end of its tail, which the Greek tortoise lacks. Shell colour is a less reliable clue, since it varies widely by subspecies and age in both species, so the spur and the tail scute remain the safer signs to check.

Terrarium and outdoor housing

A hatchling can be kept temporarily in an indoor tortoise table, but an adult needs considerably more space than a typical shop tortoise table provides. A basking zone of roughly 35-38°C is recommended, with a cooler zone around 24-28°C, and night temperatures that should not permanently drop below about 15-18°C. Good UVB lighting (e.g. a T5 HO 10.0 or 12% tube) is essential, since without adequate UVB a tortoise cannot make vitamin D3 efficiently, which affects shell and bone strength over time. Humidity should stay moderate, roughly 40-60%, somewhat higher for younger animals. Where possible, a securely fenced, sunny outdoor pen in summer is often a better solution than permanent indoor housing for a Mediterranean species like this one - provided it is protected from dogs, cats and birds of prey.

Diet

The Greek tortoise is a strict herbivore. The bulk of its diet should be fibrous, calcium-rich weeds and grasses (dandelion, plantain, phacelia and similar plants), with fruit only an occasional treat, since too much sugar puts a strain on digestion. Feed once a day, in a portion roughly matching the size of its shell.

Hibernation

In the wild, the Greek tortoise buries itself and overwinters in dormancy as part of its natural rhythm. In captivity, hibernation is not strictly required for survival, but for healthy adults it is commonly recommended practice that must always be supervised - with pre-hibernation weight checks, a suitable shelter temperature, and veterinary advice if the animal is ill, underweight or only a few years old. A poorly managed hibernation (too cold, too damp, or too long) can be dangerous.

Legal status: CITES and ARSO registration

The Greek tortoise is listed in Annex A of the EU's CITES wildlife trade regulation, which brings substantially stricter rules than for most pets. In Slovenia, the owner must have the animal permanently and identifiably marked (normally with a microchip) and must notify the Slovenian Environment Agency (ARSO) in writing after acquiring it - according to Slovenian terrarium-keeping sources, the deadline for this notification is 30 days from acquisition. Because this is a legal obligation with possible consequences for non-compliance, we recommend that any prospective owner verify the exact procedure and current deadlines directly with ARSO before buying, and the seller should provide proper documentation of the animal's origin (a CITES certificate) at the time of sale - without it, the paperwork is often impossible to trace later.

Health and common problems

Most health problems in Greek tortoises stem from inadequate lighting, poor diet, or an environment that is too damp or too cold. A lack of UVB and calcium increases the risk of metabolic bone disease, which shows up as softening or deformity of the shell; caught early, the condition often improves considerably with corrected care and veterinary treatment, though advanced shell changes can remain permanent. An environment that is too cold or too humid raises the risk of respiratory infections, which need veterinary attention. Regularly watching appetite, droppings and activity level helps catch problems early.

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